Browsing by Subject "sustainable development"

Now showing 1 - 17 of 17
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An analysis of urban form as an approach to social sustainability: a comparative study of contrasting housing developments
    (2018) Botha, Deirdre; Patel, Zarina; le Grange, Simone
    This research study aims to determine the impact of urban form on social sustainability. Definitions of urban form vary in the literature. One of the definitions describe urban form as spaces that enhance the sense of community, healthy communities and place attachment, while promoting environmental mitigation and adaption measures (Eizenberg & Jabareen, 2017). Likewise, social sustainability has not been clearly defined and universally understood and as a result its importance has been compromised (Vallance, Perkins & Dixon, 2011). This study of urban form also includes testing the success of the process of implementation, with the aim of providing evidence with regards to its success in the shaping of urban form. Important implementation processes of urban form include: planning processes, policies, processes of collaboration and partnership between different agencies, local participation, financial incentives, tax incentives and investment (Burton, Jenks & Williams, 2003). The case study of the research includes two contrasting housing developments that are at opposite ends of the housing spectrum. Masiphumelele, an informal settlement, and Lake Michelle, an Eco-Estate. Both these housing developments are situated between the areas of Noordhoek, Fish Hoek and Sun Valley in the City of Cape Town. This research project makes use of a multidisciplinary approach. Due to the spatial and social nature of the research, methods from both Geography and Urban Design were used. Qualitative methods were used, including interviews, field observation, volunteer work at an NGO, and spatial mapping. The research study finds that urban form does have an impact on social sustainability. The findings reveal that the measure of social sustainability is a result of firstly, the type of urban form. Secondly, it is a result of the nature of the implementation process of urban form. Third, it is a result of the residents’ response to the urban form. Social sustainability is thus not predictable, but the relationship between urban form and social sustainability is predictable. Both high-density and low-density urban forms have positive and negative results, depending on the specific context. Furthermore, the selected criteria with which to define both urban form and social sustainability will have an impact on the relationship between the two. Thus, calling for a uniform definition of both urban form and social sustainability, and the need for a context-specific approach to the design of urban form.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Carbon capture and storage in South Africa
    (World Resources Institute, 2005) Mwakasonda, Stanford; Winkler, Harald
    Some three-quarters of South Africa’s primary energy supply and 93 percent of its electricity are derived from coal (NER, 2002; DME, 2003b). Even in more optimistic energy policy scenarios (De Villiers and others, 1999; EDRC, 2003; Banks & Schäffler, 2005), coal continues to provide for the majority of South Africa’s energy needs over the next 20 to 30 years. Almost 80 percent of GHG emissions come from the energy sector—both supply and use—and most of these are in the form of carbon dioxide (Van der Merwe & Scholes, 1998; RSA, 2004). Making South Africa’s energy system more sustainable is a transition that will take decades. Making energy development in South Africa more sustainable will require attention to solutions that deal with CO2 emissions from coal. Together, these factors mean that an evaluation of the sustainability of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies is an important element of climate policy.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Restricted
    Clean energy and development for South Africa: Background data, Report 1 of 3
    (2007) Haw Mary; Hughes Alison
    The study has three main objectives, firstly to update both the models and the data developed and captured during the first integrated energy planning process. Secondly, to project future scenarios for the South African energy system and determine how these developments compare to current sustainability indicators and thirdly to develop additional capacity for energy modelling in South Africa and particularly within the DME. The aim here is to lay out the energy system in South Africa as it is today, the options for the supply and transformation of energy that are currently used and that may be available over the planning period. The document also informs the base case for the model and attempts to clearly document assumptions that have been used to develop the economic, demand and population projections. As the model is to be made available to the DME for use by its energy modelers and planners on completion, the document serves as a guide to the model for the energy officers who will be using the model.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Restricted
    Clean energy and development for South Africa: Results, Report 3 of 3.
    (2007) Hughes, Alison; Haw, Mary
    The objective of this document is to report on the scenarios considered and compare the costs and social impacts using the sustainability indicators. The scenarios reported on are the energy efficiency improvements in the commercial, industrial, transport and residential sector, an increased penetration of biofuels and renewables and increased use of nuclear energy. The scenarios contain alternative fuel and appliance choices. Deviations from the base case are introduced in order to determine the effect specific policies or actions will have on the final energy demand and related emissions and costs of the system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Cleaner energy cooler climate: developing sustainable energy solutions for South Africa
    (2011) Winkler, Harald
    For South Africa, finding a policy approach which balances the increasing demand for energy with the need for sustainability, equity and climate change mitigation is a particular challenge. Energy and climate change are issues of critical importance for shaping a sustainable future, both in South Africa and globally. This book provides an innovative and strategic approach to climate policy, with local development objectives as its starting point.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    A developmental state': the challenge ahead
    (2011) Various speakers
    Lecture series co-ordinated by Alec Erwin, Honorary Professor of Economics, University of the Western Cape Considerable economic and other challenges face contemporary states around the world.This is even more the case for Africa, where the developmental issues are massive. This course will examine the implications of a commitment to a ‘developmental state’ for South Africa and Africa, and assess key contemporary challenges. This podcast series can be enjoyed by anyone interested in economics in African contexts. It is also a credible resource for students writing on this topic.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Energy and economic development: Challenges for South Africa
    (University of Cape Town, 2005) Nkomo, J C
    Energy provision is crucial to overall development. The South African economy uses a large amount of energy, is highly energy-intensive, and heavily dominated by the extraction of raw materials and primary processing. As the demand for energy grows, the energy sector is expected to play a central role in fuelling the country’s economic growth and development. Issues such as social equity and economic efficiency within the context of sustainable development, and the choice of appropriate policy instruments to minimise negative impacts of externalities associated with energy production and consumption, become crucial. Then there are also issues of economic management. If societies well-being is to improve, these challenges as well as their concomitant trade-offs have to be addressed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Energy policies for sustainable development in South Africa: options for the future
    (Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town., 2006) Davidson, Ogunlade; Kenny, Andrew; Prasad, Gisela; Nkomo, Jabavu; Sparks, Debbie; Howells, Mark; Alfstad, Thomas; Winkler, Harald
    The purpose of this publication is to present a profile of energy in South Africa, assess trends and analyse some options for the future. It is divided into two parts – Part I presents a profile of energy and sustainable development in South Africa, while Part II uses modelling tools and indicators to assess future policy options for the country.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Factors influencing the societal acceptance of new, renewable and energy efficiency technologies: meta-analysis of recent European projects
    (University of Cape Town, 2007) Brohmann, Bettina; Feenstra, Ynke; Heiskanen, Eva; Hodson, Mike; Mourik, Ruth; Prasad, Gisela; Raven, Rob
    The paper addresses the conditions for the successful introduction of sustainable energy technology projects in different geographic, institutional and cultural contexts. Our aim is to identify contextual and process-related factors influencing the level of societal acceptance and techno-economic successfulness achieved in energy projects that aim to mitigate climate change (renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced technologies). Our focus is on successfulness on the level of individual projects, but we also consider how ‘lessons learned’ in individual projects diffuse into the wider context of energy planning. In our conclusions, we identify key challenges for project managers and policy makers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Macro economic reforms and sustainable development in Southern Africa. Report 5: Electricity production
    (1999) Spalding-Feeher, Randall; Afrane-Okese, Yaw; Matibe, David K; Eberhard, Rolfe; Davis, Mark; Barberton, Conrad
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Open Educational Resources within a Knowledge System for Achieving Quality Education SDG
    (IFLA, 2017-07-17) Raju, Reggie
    The high levels of poverty and poor access to quality education, among a myriad of other challenges, have contributed to economic and social exclusion in Africa. These exclusions must be viewed against the backdrop of the emergence of a global knowledge-based society in which the production and dissemination of knowledge has become critical for meeting social and economic needs. Education, in the view of Breidlid (2009), is critical for poverty alleviation and economic and social inclusion. Education is central to promoting sustainable development. It is therefore essential to mobilize necessary resources, including openness resources to steer the global south towards economic and social inclusion. This paper will discuss the exploration of a ‘knowledge system’ that facilitates the networking of open educational resources (OERs) to strengthen the educational system in Africa. The bringing together of contributors who use appropriate technology for innovation will enhance the educational process which will in turn advance learning for growth and development. Key to the effective contribution of knowledge systems to SDGs is information and communication technologies (ICTs). Libraries have responded positively to the potential of ICTs and have recently been utilising that potential to offer publishing services using Open Source Systems (OSS) such as Open Journal Systems (OJS), DSpace, and the Open Monograph Press (OMP). These open source systems, which are a significant component of the openness movement, are exploited to deliver open content which includes open access publishing and sharing of scholarly content. The bias in this paper is the publishing of open educational resources for the development of education in the global south. An educated and informed society will contribute to the broadening of access to wealth for social justice, growth and development.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Policies and scenarios for Cape Town's energy future: options for sustainable city energy development
    (University of Cape Town, 2006) Winkler, H; Borchers, M; Hughes, A; Visagie, E; Heinrich, G
    This study examines a set of energy policy interventions, which can make a major contribution to sustainable development for the City of Cape Town – economically, environmentally and socially. Major energy savings can be made from modal shifts in the transport sector, and with efficient lighting. The savings make a contribution to economic development, by freeing up resources. The savings from energy efficiency also have important social benefits in energy savings, reducing energy bills for poor households. From an environmental point of view, implementing the city’s renewable energy target will have significant costs, but these can be partly off-set by selling carbon credits through the Clean Development Mechanism, and will result in indirect health benefits. Targeted interventions can reduce local air pollution, and help Cape Town become a leader in addressing greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from examining the social, economic and environmental dimensions of each policy, this paper compares policies to one another. Of particular interest for sustainable energy development are those policies which are viable in terms of costs, social benefits and the environment. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) in residential, commercial and government sectors and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) in commerce and government sectors stand out as policies that have benefits from every angle. The paper builds on previous work done on the ‘state of energy’ for Cape Town and develops a tool that can paint a picture of what might happen to energy in the future. Using the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) modelling tool, a set of energy policies have been simulated.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Renewable energy technologies for poverty alleviation - Initial assessment report: South Africa
    (University of Cape Town, 2005) Prasad, Gisela; Visagie, Eugene
    South African energy policy priorities have always been closely linked to the prevailing political situation. Pre-democratic energy policy and planning were characterized by energy security priorities, excessive secrecy and racially skewed provision of energy services. Post-apartheid South Africa witnessed substantial revision and a strong focus on energy for development. In accordance with the Constitution (Act No. 108 of 1996) an inclusive Energy White Paper (1998) was developed. Major objectives of government’s Energy White Paper are (DME, 1998): • Increasing access to affordable energy services; • Stimulating economic development – encouragement of competition within energy markets; • Managing energy-related environmental and health effects; • Securing supply through diversity – increased opportunities for energy trade and diversity in both supply sources and primary energy carriers. Renewable energy becomes one of the areas that the government would want to consider pursuing in managing energy-related environmental impacts and diversifying energy supplies from a coaldominated system. In May 2004, the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) published the White Paper on Renewable Energy Policy. This targets the provision of 10 000 GWh (accumulative over a period of 10 years) of electricity from RE resources (mainly biomass, wind, solar and small-scale hydro projects) by 2013. This is approximately 4 % of the country’s estimated electricity demand or equivalent to replacing two 660 MW units of Eskom’s combined coal-fired power stations. At present less than 1% of the 200 000 GWh of electricity generated annually in South Africa originates from RE sources (DME, 2004).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    South African Energy Policies for Sustainable Development
    (University of Cape Town, 2005) Winkler, Harald; Alfstad, Thomas; Howells, Mark
    This report models a range of energy policies for sustainable development in South Africa and evaluates the results against energy indicators of sustainable development. Demand- and supply-side policies exist that can contribute both to energy objectives, and also to broader sustainable development goals. The report builds on previous work on a South African profile on energy for sustainable development (ERC 2004a), identifying, modelling and evaluating future policy options. The purpose of the report is to present possible energy futures for the country and to demonstrate how indicators of sustainable development can be used to assess options. This method, we argue, provides the means for policymakers to identify synergies and trade-offs between options, and to evaluate them in economic, social and environmental dimensions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Sustainability of electricity supply and climate change in South Africa
    (UNEP Risø Centre, 2006-11) Winkler, Harald; Mukheibir, Pierre; Mwakasonda, Stanford; Halsnæs, Kirsten; Garg, Amit
    Global responses to climate change are gradually considering the potential synergies between sustainable development and climate change policies. In the coming years developing countries face great challenges in development and its impact on climate. The path of development chosen by the region, upon which lies the future growth of energy and emission trajectories, would be greatly influenced by technological developments, economic cooperation between countries, and global cooperation in mitigation and adaptation of climate change. In many developing countries policies that are sensible from a climate change perspective can emerge as side-benefits of sound development programmes. In the energy sector, for example, price reforms, sector restructuring, and the introduction of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies - all undertaken without any direct reference to climate change - can mitigate climate and other environmental risks while achieving their main goal of enhancing economic and social development. Moreover national development policies in these countries pay considerable attention to extending developmental benefits to the poor people. These include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring primary education for all, women empowerment, enhancing life expectancy, energy access to all, and environmental sustainability. Most of these align with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and also enhance the adaptive capacities of the populations towards adverse impacts of climate change.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Restricted
    Sustainable development policies and measures: Institutional issues and electrical efficiency in South Africa Climate Policy
    (Taylor & Francis, 2007) Winkler, H; Howells, M; Baumert, K
    An innovative approach is introduced for helping developing countries to make their development more sustainable, and also to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a co-benefit. Such an approach is proposed as part of the multilateral framework on climate change. The concept of sustainable development policies and measures (SD-PAMs) is outlined, making clear that it is distinct from many other approaches in starting from development rather than explicit climate targets. The potential of SD-PAMs is illustrated with a case-study of energy efficiency in South Africa, drawing on energy modelling for the use of electricity in industry. The results show multiple benefits both for local sustainable development and for mitigating global climate change. The benefits of industrial energy efficiency in South Africa include significant reductions in local air pollutants; improved environmental health; creation of additional jobs; reduced electricity demand; and delays in new investments in electricity generation. The co-benefit of reducing GHG emissions could result in a reduction of as much as 5% of SA’s total projected energy CO2 emissions by 2020. Institutional support and policy guidance is needed at both the international and national level to realize the potential of SD-PAMs. This analysis demonstrates that if countries begin to act early to move towards greater sustainability, they will also start to bend the curve of their emissions path.